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A key principle of the U.S. immigration system is family-based immigration. These visas fall into two categories: immediate relative (IR) and conditional resident (CR) visas. Brown Immigration Law provides Tampa family immigration services to people seeking to reunite through IR and CR visas.
What Is an Immediate Relative (IR) Visa?
An Immediate Relative (IR) visa is used to bring immediate relatives of U.S. citizens to the United States. The government does not cap or limit the number of immigrants in this class. Thus, an eligible relative can enter regardless of the number of IR visas issued that year.
Who Qualifies for an IR Visa in Tampa?
A U.S. citizen or Green Card holder can sponsor the following IR applications:
- An IR1 for spouses married for at least two years
- An IR2 for unmarried minor children of U.S. citizens
- An IR5 parent visa if the sponsor is a U.S. citizen at least 21 years old
IR visa categories do not cover other relatives like siblings or married adult children.
What Is a Conditional Resident (CR) Visa?
A Conditional Resident (CR) visa is used to bring immediate relatives to the U.S. if they do not qualify for IR visas. Again, CR visas are exempt from quotas.
Who Qualifies for a CR Visa in Tampa?
U.S. citizens and Green Card holders can sponsor the following relatives for CR family immigration visas:
- A CR1 for a spouse ineligible for an IR visa
- A CR2 for that spouse’s unmarried minor children
CR visa applicants can receive a Conditional Green Card, which is valid for two years.
How the Visa Process Works
Both IR and CR visas follow a similar process. The sponsor and beneficiary fill out a petition and submit supporting information, such as an affidavit of support, medical examination results, and proof of the family relationship.
If the government denies the application or requests additional information, a family immigration lawyer in Tampa can help the petitioner respond.
Removing Conditions on a CR1 Visa
If you entered the U.S. on a CR1 marriage visa in Tampa, you received a Conditional Green Card. To remain in the U.S., you must file a petition to remove conditions on Green Card before it expires.
You will probably file your petition jointly with the original sponsor. However, you can obtain a waiver to file without them due to death, divorce, or abuse. Regardless of your marital status, you must prove that you had a bona fide marriage entered into in good faith and that you did not intend to circumvent immigration laws.
Allowing your Conditional Green Card to expire may have dire consequences, including deportation. A Tampa CR1 visa attorney can explain your options if you miss your deadline.
Common Delays in Family-Based Visa Processing
Common causes of delays in processing visa applications include:
- Incomplete forms
- Missing documentation
- Incorrect information
USCIS may reach out to you if it finds errors. However, it can also deny the petition and require you to start over. Hiring an immigrant visa attorney can reduce your risk of a denial.
Common Reasons for IR/CR Visa Denials
Some common reasons for a denial of a family-based green card in Tampa include the following:
- Criminal history
- Prior immigration violations
- Marriage fraud
- Missed interviews
Your options after a denial depend on the grounds. Consider contacting a family immigration lawyer to review your case and explore possible responses.
How Brown Immigration Law Supports IR and CR Visa Cases
Brown Immigration Law provides full-service support for every stage of the Immediate Relative (IR) and Conditional Resident (CR) visa process, including initial filings, consular follow-ups, responses to requests for evidence, and adjustments of status after entry to the United States.
Our attorneys have guided families through a wide range of immigration matters, including:
- Military families: Assisting service members and their loved ones with expedited or overseas processing and addressing unique deployment-related issues.
- Cross-border marriages: Helping spouses overcome legal and logistical challenges when living in different countries.
- Reunification of children and parents: Ensuring timely and accurate petitions so families can be together as soon as possible.
We have the resources and flexibility to take on complex or time-sensitive cases, including those involving prior denials, extensive documentation requirements, or applicants with urgent humanitarian needs.
Tampa-Based Support for Overseas Visa Processing
From our Tampa office, we not only assist local families but also provide coordinated support for relatives abroad. Our team works directly with U.S. embassies and consulates to prepare and submit required documentation, monitor case progress, and address consular inquiries.
We also offer remote legal services for U.S. sponsors, making it easier to manage the process from anywhere in the country. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling petitions from regions with high application volumes or unique procedural requirements, including Latin America and Southeast Asia. This regional insight allows us to anticipate potential delays, address cultural or language barriers, and move cases forward efficiently.
Do You Have a Family Immigration Attorney Near Me?
Brown Immigration Law is located at 400 N. Ashley Dr., Suite 1900, in Tampa’s Rivergate Tower. Clients can park in the Ashley Street Garage, and HART bus stops and the Downtowner shuttle are within easy walking distance. We serve family immigration clients across the Tampa Bay area and offer virtual appointments for sponsors living outside Florida. We have another Florida-based office in Orlando, and additional locations in Durham, NC, Columbus, OH, and Cleveland, OH.
Contact an IR/CR Visa Lawyer in Tampa Today
Brown Immigration Law serves employers, businesses, and individuals throughout the country as they navigate the immigration system. Fill out our contact form to discuss how we can help you.
